More than half of the businesses the Energy Saving Trust has worked with have taken action to improve their transport operations

The Trust - a social enterprise funded by Transport for Scotland - has provided a bespoke transport service to 350 businesses in Scotland over the past financial year; with an ultimate goal to make the nation's commercial transport infrastructure environmentally sustainable.

"More than half of the businesses have taken action to improve their transport operations since receiving support from the Energy Saving Trust. Of those, 90% say they are happy with the results."

More than 100 businesses have completed transport reviews in 2014 and the Energy Saving Trust has provided recommendations that could lead to further savings of more than 8,000 tonnes of CO2 and £4m a year.

Driving down costs

Glasgow-based training provider The Wise Group is one of the organisations that have followed these recommendations. Following a sustainable transport review, the business organised 'FuelGood' driver training for staff; upgraded existing vehicles to more efficient variants, introduced hybrid and electric vehicles (EV) and installed an EV charging point. As a result, The Wise Group has saved more than £8,000 and 13 tonnes of CO2.

"Introducing EVs has helped us drive down costs and reduce our carbon footprint," said The Wise Group chief executive Laurie Russell. "Installing an EV charging point is in line with our commitment to helping to create a greener society, and to make EVs more accessible to the public and business community."

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act sets a target of an 80 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050.The Scottish Government recently published its programme of strategic action to move towards a largely decarbonised transport sector.

The strategy focuses on decarbonising vehicles through action to advance the mainstream adoption of electric vehicles (EVs); the application of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS); building sustainable communities with greater carbon-friendly travel options; and engagement with businesses to promote the transition to low-carbon transport and travel through measures such as fuel-efficient driving, workplace travel planning and freight efficiencies.